Redhawk Caldera workin' man

Eljay's emotions went on a rollercoaster ride as Mazi spoke. First she said that most left at one to two years, and it made Eljay's stomach squirm to think that he might be expected to leave Redhawk Caldera in three months' time already. He didn't want to leave at all. However, then Mazi said that from her perspective, pups weren't forced to leave and they could stay if they wanted to.

Unless they didn't contribute.

Eljay wasn't sure what his Alphas' or parents' stance on it all were, but so far he wasn't contributing anything at all. Eljay's breathing sped up and he felt his chest tighten. It was as though there wasn't enough oxygen getting into his lungs, and he was breathing as much as he could, but he still felt like he was suffocating all at once. Eljay's eyes shimmered with the threat of tears, and all that kept Eljay from spilling them was that he didn't know Mazi all that well at all, and he would feel like a fool tearing up in front of her.

But then she asked him if he was worried and if that was why he was asking her all that. Eljay opened his mouth to speak, but all that happened was him inhaling another rapid breath and a high-pitched squeaking sound exiting his throat. He blinked his eyes as he could feel tears fill them and tried to collect himself, hoping that he would be more able to speak soon but at the same time beating himself up over looking like a huge idiot already even if he were to recollect himself now... Which didn't help with calming down at all.